Welcome to The Literary Edit, a cosy corner of the internet for people who love books.
I’m Lucy, a Bondi-based writer and bookworm. If books were people, they’d be the greatest loves of my life.
Why sign up to The Literary Edit
While my first foray onto the internet was as a book blogger, suffice it to say I’m now smitten with Substack. I love curating a collection of all things bookish for readers of The Literary Edit.
Here’s what you can expect:
Every fortnight, a female author shares the eight books they’d take to the sandy shores of a desert island.
Musings on my favourite reads, personal essays, and sneak peeks inside the world’s most stylish hotel libraries.
Monthly round-ups of books I’ve read (plus recommendations for ones I think you’ll love).
Tips on seasonal reading, where to start with classics, and occasional musings on creativity and writing routines.
Going forward, this Substack will contain the bulk of my writing. I’ll be coming your way with a round-up of books I’ve read each month; and recommendations for those I think you should read too. Stick around, and I’ll do my best to ensure that you never read a bad book again.
You won’t have to worry about missing a thing. As a subscriber, every new edition of the newsletter goes directly to your inbox.
Why I started this newsletter
After over a decade of book blogging—and winning the inaugural Book Blogger of the Year award at the London Book Fair in 2018—I felt it was time for a change. Blogging used to be an exciting online space, but after years of reviewing books, I wanted a platform that allowed for a deeper connection with my readers. Which is where Substack comes in. This newsletter lets me bring you the crème de la crème of the literary world each week—whether that’s a beautiful memoir, a life-changing novel, or the best hotel library I’ve stumbled across. I hope each week you’ll come back and linger a little longer in my corner of the internet.
A bit more about me…
Books are my lifeblood. I’ve lived in London, Bali and LA, but Bondi has been my home for almost a decade. I adore independent bookshops, the smell of second-hand books, and those rare afternoons when my boyfriend lets me read in peace.
Some quickfire facts:
My favourite book is A Little Life. I detest Ulysses with every fibre of my being.
Books I love include: Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and The Rainbow Troops by Andrea Hirata.
I’ll read anything by John Steinbeck and Rosamunde Pilcher.
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier changed the course of my life (more on that here).
I love a good memoir; Places I Stopped on My Way Home by Meg Fee is my favourite.
When I’m not reading, you’ll find me savouring very early mornings, sipping iced oat lattes, or daydreaming about my next trip to Paris (basic but true).
My website is here, and you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (I am firmly in the camp of people who will never call it X).
Free subscribers have access to:
Occasional public posts.
Paid subscribers have access to:
Weekly posts, personal essays, the chance to get a personalised book prescription and more.
